Mama Tamara

Saturday, September 25, 2010

I really just want to mention our favorite feature here because it is pretty unique.

The children's play area has a zip line swing. It is good for a wide variety of ages as you can do tricks as you get older. Obviously, use your judgement having your kids play on it, especially the littler ones. My kids love it. Check it out for a unique park experience.

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Grasslawn is one of those really big and really popular parks! It is very easy to find and has lots of different activities to keep you busy.

There are two different, very distinct play areas. The smaller one, right by 148th Ave, contains some water play activities. The much larger one, over by Old Redmond Road, has a really big, really fun climbing toy. (Well it is only fun if you don't have a child at just the wrong phase - good enough at climbing to get to the top, but not able or confident enough to get down! I've had to climb up many times!) For bigger kids this is really great. There are also other things around the really high climb for younger kids, plus swings and a sand box.

There are two parking lots, one near each play area. There are also two bathrooms - one near the small one plus another about halfway between the two.

Other perks of this big park are tennis courts, basketball courts, big open grass fields, and paved trails for practicing bikes and scooters.

Tuesday, September 07, 2010

There are two side-by-side playgrounds - they are both really nice. The play area for little ones is actually quite nice and has several interesting and unusual features. The bigger one also has some really fun features and a really nice teeter-totter. There are also paved pathways near the play areas for those who want to ride bikes or scooters.

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Not much there... There is a Frisbee golf course and there were several groups playing games there even though it was a weekday afternoon. I considered playing a round with my little guys but there was so much high grass around that I wasn't sure we would have much luck. At first I thought the course was not very well maintained but there was a mowed area from each tee to the "hole." So now I am thinking the grass is a "hazard," which might be great for adults but looked like it would be super tricky for little guys or beginners.

The highlight for us was the community garden. We took a walk around it (looking only, no touching) and enjoyed identifying all the neat vegetables people were growing there at various levels of success.

Friday, July 09, 2010

This park is huge! Huge grassy areas and a nice walking path, with a pretty pool with ducks.

At the south end there is a nice play structure with a variety of levels of activities. It is very sunny there! There is a nice bathroom building right by the play area including a family restroom.

There are several parking lots. The one on the west side of the park I would use if I were walking around. On the southwest corner, by the play structure, there is another one. If that one is full, like it was when I was there yesterday, there is another one, slightly further east that would be a shorter walk than the other.

There are trails through the woods for family friendly hiking and exploring.

There is an actual farm with animals to watch.

A few words about the play structure. This one is for the little guys mostly - so bring your toddlers and come on! The only thing that would make this a perfect place would be a fence around the play area to keep the littlest ones contained.

That said, there are some rope webs for the big kids to climb on as well. And my boys are pretty big and they still had a good time with a little imagination. Plus the bigger kids in your group could always play games in the grass nearby.

We were there in the afternoon and I want to note that the playground was in full sun, which was fabulous since we have been lacking in the sun department lately. There are a few trees around but I think this playground is mostly sunny all day.

It also has a bathroom right by the play structure and lots of parking. If the lot is full, you can park on the road all along the edge of the park on 130th Pl SE.

Sunday, April 25, 2010

This is a neat park with a lot of beach area on the lake. It was too cold for swimming but they had two pretty large swimming areas roped off that I am sure are fun in the summertime. The sand area was not real big but there was some sandy beach for digging and playing,

There are two play structures that we saw in the park, and several trails that are good for exploring. The main thing about this park is the large grassy areas and huge number of picnic tables and grills. This is definitely the spot for your next barbecue or picnic. Plenty of room for your group, no matter the size.

There are, of course, plenty of bathrooms and a very large parking lot. There also were lot of sunny spots for those sunny spring or fall days where you need the sun to be warm!

Saturday, April 17, 2010

We tried out a new park today - Willows Creek Neighborhood Park!! This park is a hidden treasure. We live very nearby but never realized the park was there. It is a small park with one basketball goal, two picnic tables and a play structure. There is also a good amount of grass to run around in.

The play structure was really fun with lots and lots of neat ways to climb on and off. It looked small at first but they really fit a lot of activities into it. My four-year old reports that the BIG BLUE SLIDE was his favorite feature of the play structure.

There are two benches by the play structure for parents to rest on but be sure to choose the one not beside the trash can. It really smelled when we were there. In our short visit, we saw two different people walking their dogs and dropping their little baggies in the trash can so I think I know why.

There is a small parking area, with one handicapped space and two other parking spots. It is a small neighborhood park so no bathrooms are available to plan accordingly. I also like to note whether or not a park is shady or sunny but on such an overcast day as today, I was not able to collect that data. I am thinking it might be shady in the morning and sunny in the afternoon, but I'll have to go back and check it out.

Tuesday, March 02, 2010

The texture on this one was a bit off. Not sure why. All the smoothies have been fine, but nothing spectacular. It is funny - you can't taste the "green" or see the "green" but I am pretty sure you can smell the "green." Maybe my nose is really senstitive but it seems that way to me. Which is fine I guess - who says the point is to completely hide the spinach anyway?